Source:  Tampa Bay Business Journal Online Daily

Finalists have been named for the fifth annual WEDU Be More Awards set for Jan. 14. The luncheon event, scheduled for the A La Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa, was coined in its inaugural year as the “Academy Awards for Nonprofits.”
 
WEDU, west central Florida’s primary PBS station, recognizes more than 70 nonprofit organizations in the area that have applied for honors and recognition in a variety of categories. One organization will be named “Nonprofit Organization of the Year for 2009.”

A panel of arms-length judges from throughout the area spent four weeks judging more than 70 applications, a release said. The process, along with online voting in two categories, culminates in recognition of the efforts made by individual volunteers and nonprofit organizations — both large and small — in the following nine categories:

• Be More…Informed: A marketing award for the organization that demonstrated creative, original marketing through broadcasting, print material, social networking and/or community awareness campaigns. Finalists include Bok Tower Gardens, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County Inc., Suncoast Hospice and The ALS Association, Florida Chapter.

• Be More…Entertaining: This award honors the organization that hosted a wide variety of special events or one particularly original special event or fundraiser for community benefit. Finalists include: Abilities Rehabilitation Center Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, Community Tampa Bay, Pier Aquarium Inc. and Suncoast Communities Blood Bank.

• Be More…Brilliant: An award for the organization that displayed the most imaginative, creative and innovative use of original ideas to achieve organizational goals. Finalists include: DACCO (Drug Abuse Comprehensive Coordinating Office Inc.), Dollars for Scholars of St. Petersburg Inc./Thrift Store, Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County, Lazydays Partners Foundation and Metropolitan Ministries.

• Be More…Knowledgeable: An award recognizing the educational outreach tools an organization has employed to educate the community through guidance, knowledge, emotional or physical support, and/or a mentorship program. Finalists include: Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County Inc., Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County, Project Light of Manatee Inc., Sarasota Family YMCA, United Methodist Cooperative Ministries, Suncoast Inc.

• Be More…Enriched: An award recognizing program excellence specifically for a culturally based organization. The judges added this award this year to recognize efforts that contribute to the spirit of adventure and exploration, as well as education through the arts, performance or historic exhibits. Finalists include: Bok Tower Gardens, Carrollwood Cultural Center, Polk Museum of Art, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and The Pier Aquarium.

Four other awards celebrate community support, overall appeal and outstanding achievement.

• Be More…Humble: A people’s choice award decided by an online poll at wedu.org which is driven by votes from the general public in the WEDU 16-county viewing area during a 30-day period. More than 15,000 [unique user] votes were cast, and this prestigious award exhibits the connection and relationship the organization has with the community and the people the organization serves, a release said. Finalists include: Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties Inc., Little Red Wagon Foundation, Metropolitan Ministries, Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

• Be More…Encouraged: An award that is decided entirely by the WEDU Be More Awards panel of independent judges without any specific criteria but based on the organization’s ability to broaden horizons through creative and respectful means. Finalists include: Lazydays Partners Foundation, Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Liberty Manor for Veterans Inc., Little Red Wagon Foundation and The Spring of Tampa Bay Inc.

• Be More…Involved The Mason Dixon Award for Volunteerism: An award driven by an online poll on wedu.org with the finalists being chosen by a tally of popular votes cast by the general public in the WEDU viewing area. The ultimate winner of this award was selected by the awards’ namesake, local radio personality and philanthropist Mason Dixon. Finalists include: Dr. Robert Ettleman of Gulf Coast Dental Outreach, Steve Franks of ALS Association, Florida Chapter, Michelle Piccione of Dollars for Scholars of St. Petersburg Inc./Thrift Store, Phyllis Siskel of Community Haven and Chrissy Turner of Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.

• Be More…Unstoppable: The most coveted award of the program. One nonprofit group will be named WEDU Be More Awards Nonprofit Organization of the Year. A panel of judges selects from all submitted applications. Finalists include: Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County, Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County, Lazydays Partners Foundation, Metropolitan Ministries and The Spring of Tampa Bay Inc.

This year’s keynote speaker, sponsored by the Verizon Foundation, will feature an inspirational and motivational presentation by Ryan Nece, who after spending six years playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, followed by a stint with the Detroit Lions, has turned to the community to give back and enhance the quality of life of those truly in need. Son of NFL Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott, Nece founded the Ryan Nece Foundation in an effort to increase his extensive community service efforts in the Tampa Bay area. He has designed a Good Samaritan Program and earlier this year launched the Power of Giving campaign to encourage individuals to make a powerful impact on their community.

Created here in Tampa by WEDU, the WEDU Be More Award has become a nationally recognized, award-winning program and special initiative of PBS stations throughout the country that can best tell local success stories of their unsung heroes, generate awareness for nonprofit organizations and celebrate the spirit of goodwill throughout their own communities. There is no charge for a nonprofit organization to apply for recognition, and the exposure provided by the PBS station throughout the program offers substantial credibility and promotion of an organizations’ mission.

Tickets for the WEDU Be More Awards luncheon and ceremony Jan. 14 at the A La Carte Event Pavilion are $50 per person. Visit wedu.org/BeMore or call WEDU at (813) 254-9338, ext 2241 for more details.